LWF President Younan Speaks of Solidarity with Egyptian Coptic Church

Global Church Solidarity with Egyptians Is Crucial

Bishop Dr Munib A. Younan, President of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) described the enthronement of the new head of the Coptic Church Pope Tawadros II “as a much-needed sign of unity” for Egypt and for Arab Christianity.

Younan who is bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) represented the LWF and ELCJHL at the 18 November installation of Tawadros II as the 118th Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria and Patriarch of All Africa. The ceremony was held at St Mark’s cathedral in the Egyptian capital Cairo.

“We must be aware that this is the largest Christian church in the Arab world. After the Egyptian revolution and the post-Mubarak [former Egyptian President] era, this was the one event that brought under one roof Christians, Muslims, high-ranking government officials and a wide spectrum of civil society not only from Egypt but from other parts of the world,” Younan told Lutheran World Information (LWI).

Egypt’s population of more than 80 million people comprises an estimated 10 to 12 million Copts, representing the majority of the world’s Coptic Christians.

“The pope’s enthronement was a historic moment for Egyptians—expressing that they want to live together as Christians and Muslims. It is a much-needed sign of unity at this time in the country,” said Younan, referring to the unfolding social political changes after the ouster of former President Hosni Mubarak and the consolidation of new governance under President Mohammed Morsi.

Bishop Younan underlined the significant presence of the ecumenical family at the enthronement including representatives from the World Council of Churches, from Christian World Communions such as the LWF, the Anglican Communion and the Vatican, Patriarchs of Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Catholic churches, as well as heads of several Evangelical churches. He said he saw this as an affirmation of the global church’s solidarity with churches in the Arab world, which are currently facing religious and political extremism.

“Such solidarity is very essential as oriental Christians are spreading not only in the Middle East but are all over the world, wherever our faith takes us,” said the LWF president. “All churches are interdependent, and together we seek to be a living witness for the core values of love, peace, justice and reconciliation in the world,” he added.

In a message read by one of the Coptic church leaders, Tawadros II reiterated his commitment to work for the good of all Egyptians, Christians and Muslims alike.

Younan said this affirmation of interfaith collaboration was evident in the congregation’s applause whenever Tawadros’ predecessor, the late Pope Shenouda III, was mentioned.

The LWF President brought greetings from the General Secretary Rev. Martin Junge and from member churches in the entire Lutheran communion. The pope in turn expressed gratitude for the congratulatory message from the LWF leaders upon his election early November. He said he looked forward to discussing ways in which the two church bodies could collaborate in the future. (515 words)